Canada has long been known as a global leader in welcoming immigrants and refugees. However, its recent reliance on temporary shelters like Sprung structures should raise questions about the adequacy of its support for newcomers.
These tent-like facilities, designed by Sprung Structures and initially designed for emergency situations, have become a default solution for housing immigrants and asylum seekers.
This increased reliance on makeshift shelters reflects a reactive approach to immigration rather than a proactive one.
One Toronto Sprung shelter features folding cots for beds, little to no privacy and belongings strewn across the floor. A structure in Ottawa’s Ottawa’s Vanier neighbourhood shares the same features — the cots are identified by a row and bed number, not by name, emphasizing its utilitarian purpose, devoid of personality.
These conditions highlight the significant shortcomings of temporary shelters, which fail to meet a proper standard of living.
The living conditions in Sprung structures crystallize the deeper systemic issues within Canada’s approach to immigration.
Overcrowded and potentially unsanitary environments not only jeopardize physical health, but can also lead to extra stress and anxiety in an already high-stress situation for newcomers to the country.
For many immigrants, the uncertainty of life in temporary shelters worsens the challenges of cultural adjustment and displacement. These conditions hinder integration and make it difficult for newcomers to focus on rebuilding their lives or contributing to their new communities.
Reliance on temporary solutions is even more troubling in light of Canada’s immigration statistics. With more than 400,000 immigrants welcomed in 2023 and perhaps higher numbers on the horizon, there is an urgent need for sustainable infrastructure to support this fast-growing population.
Without a solid foundation, newcomers will struggle to achieve the security and opportunity that attracted them to Canada in the first place.
Canada must prioritize the development of affordable, permanent housing to address the root causes of this crisis. Stable housing provides a foundation for success, giving immigrants the opportunity to focus on their aspirations.
These new residents in Sprung structures are not receiving adequate access to health care or mental health services either — one structure in Toronto currently has only a makeshift doctor’s office. Both physical and mental care are critical for addressing the physical and emotional toll of leaving your home country for a new future.
Recently, the City of Ottawa shared plans to construct two Sprung structures in Kanata and Nepean.
Immigrants in these structures will find themselves well outside the city. Being more than a 30-minute drive from downtown presents major challenges for new residents.
The bus system in Ottawa can be very confusing for long-time residents — imagine how hard it would be to navigate for newcomers.
While these structures may offer immediate relief in a pinch, they are a sorry excuse for sustainable solutions.
To keep its reputation as a safe haven, Canada must move beyond stopgap measures and commit to long-term strategies that prioritize stability and opportunity.
Temporary shelters provide a roof over someone’s head, sure, but they are no substitute for the stability and support needed to build a new life.
Canada’s immigrants deserve better. Addressing these issues is not just the morally right thing to do — it is a strategic necessity for the country’s future.
Featured graphic from files.
